Each year, registrants receive an invitation to renew their GDC registration. It is important to renew your GDC registration on time as if you fail to do so, you will no longer be able to practise and will be removed from the register. This could also affect your DDU membership.
To remain on the GDC register, registrants need to:
- pay an annual retention fee (ARF) - details of how to do this are available from the GDC's website
- confirm that they have indemnity in place, or will have when they start to practise - if you're on a break from clinical practice, you can complete this declaration but remember to re-activate your membership before starting back at work
- submit a compliant continuing professional development (CPD) statement.
Failure to complete all three of these steps could put your GDC registration at risk.
Understanding CPD requirements
Each year, you must declare your CPD statement within 28 days of the end of the relevant annual renewal period, even if it is for zero hours. For dental care professionals the CPD statement deadline is therefore 28 August; for dentists this is 28 January.
All CPD must be verifiable. The minimum number of CPD hours across your five-year cycle depends on your dental professional title.
- For dental therapists, hygienists, orthodontic therapists and clinical dental technicians, this is a minimum of 75 hours.
- For dental nurses and dental technicians, this is a minimum of 50 hours.
- For dentists, this is a minimum of 100 hours.
At least 10 hours of verifiable CPD should be completed across any two consecutive years. Remember that clinical audit and peer review activities may be considered as part of verifiable CPD but check that it complies with the GDC criteria for verifiable CPD.
What should my annual CPD statement include?
- The number of CPD hours you have done in that year.
- That you have kept a written CPD record - including your personal development plan and evidence of activity.
- That your learning is relevant to your practice as a professional and is tailored to your skills and development goals.
See our Learn and develop programme for more CPD support.
Further CPD guidance can also be found on the GDC website.
This page was correct at publication on 06/07/2022. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.